SPIRITUAL SELF

● The spiritual aspect of the self is the Inner Essence, the part of the self that connects the
person to the sacred, the supernatural and the universe.
● The Spiritual Self enables the person to experience a feeling of oneness with a higher
being and the universe, it gives a deeper purpose or meaning of one’s life.
● Understanding and nurturing the Spiritual Self is as important as with the other aspects of
the self.

● The Spiritual self develops through interaction, observation and limitation

● The Family, School and Church play a very important role in a child’s Spiritual
Development
● Spirituality begins at an early age but develops throughout life as people continuously
interact in the environment.

SPIRITUALITY
● The root meaning of Spirituality is taken from the Latin word “Spiritus” meaning Breath
of Life Force.
● Spirituality can be understood as the search for the sacred, a process through which
people seek to discover, hold on to, and when necessary, transform whatever they hold
sacred in their lives
● Spirituality generally refers to a meaning and purpose in one’s life, a search for
wholeness and a relationship with a transcendent being. The Sacred Transcendence could
refer to a higher being
● The term “Spirituality” originally developed in early Christianity. Christians use the term
“Spirit” to describe the Holy Spirit.
● In Christian Ethics, it describes that the experience of the sacred is characterized by
Reverence, Faith, Fear, Trust, Love and Admiration which are intimately connected to
GOD.
● Worship is regarded as an essential act to realize the ultimate meaning of transcendence
and human life.
● Acts of Worshipped may include prayer, reading the Bible, attending sacraments and
doing sacrifices.
● Through acts of Faith, Hope and Love man is able to encounter God and understand
God’s words of Salvation.

THE PRACTICE OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF IN SUPERNATURAL BEINGS

What is the supernatural?

● A supernatural order is the original and fundamental source of all that exists
● It defines the limits of what may be known
● Something that is supernatural is above, beyond or transcendent to the natural word

FILIPINO BELIEFS IN THE SUPERNATURAL

● The 1st and 2nd of November is considered one of the most important holidays in the
Philippines as this is when we all troop to the cemeteries to visit our loved ones who have passed
on.
● To pass the time and alleviate boredom, we tell each other scary stories
● The Philippines is a Catholic country but our notion about supernatural and mythical
beings are very prominent part of our lives most especially those Filipinos who come
from country side
● Many Filipinos who live in rural or mountainous areas still believe in mythical spirits and
monstrous creatures because they are said to be present only in the countryside.
● Although believing in superstition and supernatural beings conflicts with Catholicism,
Filipinos simply cannot ignore the stories because there is always that curious and
freakish view of the unknown.

● Filipinos believe in the existence of the “aswang” which is a human by day that turns into
an animal-like, demonic creature at night.
● This fiend eats and drinks human blood. The “aswang” prefers to victimize pregnant
women who are about to give birth.
● It can be associated with a vampire, but another such being is called an “ekek” or
“manananggal” which is a bird-like human who searches for victims at night

● The “ekek” is said to be human by day then at night, its body separates into two. The
torso and upper portion of its body fly into the darkness in search for its prey while the
lower part from the waist to its feet remains on the ground.
● At the crack dawn, the upper part flies back to where its lower part is and becomes one
whole being once again.
● Some say that spraying salt or the presence of garlic helps to get rid of these creatures.

● A Filipino mythical creature which can be considered the counterpart of Canada’s

“sasquatch” is what we call the “kapre”.
● It is a filthy, dark and hairy giant who smokes a huge roll of cigars and hides on top of a
large tree.
● This supernatural being is meant to scare away small children to keep them from playing
on the streets at night.

● The “duwende” is the Filipino version of dwarfs, goblins or elves.

● These are mischievous little creatures who can bring good or bad luck to humans. They
are said to live in houses, in trees or underground. Most Filipinos believe that they live
inside termite mounds or an anthill type of soil formation found in grassy areas or forests
called “punso”

● An “engkanto” and “Diwata” are fairies or forest spirits.

● The “tiyanak” or “impakto” is a baby who died before receiving baptismal rites so when
his/her soul is in Limbo, he transforms into an evil spirit.
● A half-human and half-horse creature is called a “tikbalang”. He has the head and feet of
a horse and the body of a human. This supernatural being comes out in the night of a full
moon looking for female prey.

RITUALS AND CEREMONIES

● A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words and objects performed in a

sequestered place and performed according to set sequence
● The most important Christian rituals are called “sacraments,” sacred rites that convey
God’s sacred power or Grace.
 ● Baptism and Eucharist – the two most important sacraments practiced by most Christians.
● Baptism, the Christian rite of initiation, is a ritual cleansing with water.
● According to the accounts in the Gospels, John the Baptizer, who baptized Jesus and his
followers is a sign of repentance.
● For early Christians, baptism was a sign of moral purification, the beginning of the
Christian’s readiness for the coming of the Kingdom of God.
● The practice of the Eucharist is also known as the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
Christians believe that Jesus instituted the practice during the Passover meal he shared
with his followers just before his arrest and death.
● Early Christians met weekly to share meals of bread and wine, accompanied by prayer.

Wedding Ceremony
● Filipino weddings are full of symbols that show the bride and groom’s love and
commitment to one another.
● The bride and groom choose people outside of their bridal party to act as their sponsors
for their special day.
✓Principal Sponsors
✓Secondary Sponsors
● Veil Sponsors
● Cord Sponsors
● Coin Sponsors
● Candle Sponsors

Witchcraft or Witchery
● This is the practice of and belief in magical skills and abilities exercised by solitary
practitioners and groups.
● The most widely known characteristic of a witch was the ability to cast a spell, “spell”
being the word used to signify the means employed to carry out a magical action.
● Necromancy-communication with the dead.

Kulam
● It is a form of folk magic practiced in the Philippines. It puts emphasis on the innate
power of the self and a secret knowledge of Magica Baja or low magic.
● Kulam in the Philippines is said to be centered on the island of Siquijor and Talalora,
Western Samar and the province of Sorsogon.
● The mangkukulam use a voodoo doll and a needle to cast spells on people and they want
revenge on them.

Remedies of Kulam
● The primary methods employed by a mangkukulam are candle lighting, ritual scrying or
tawas, recitation of spells, and concoction potions. Mangkukulam also use either
photographs or voodoo doll
● Superstitious people still attribute certain illnesses or diseases to kulam. This most often
happens in rural areas, where a herbal doctor called an albularyo diagnoses a victim.

SOME RITUALS OF OFFERING IN THE COUNTRY

Visayan Rituals (the Mayaw Mayaw)

 ● Mayaw mayaw is a stylized dance based on ancient pagan religious ritual called mayaw
or gamit in the Waray dialect.
● Mayaw is a rite performed by somebody named “tambalan” or “tamyawan” at a request
of a client.
● The mayaw mayaw was originally choreographed not as one but five dances, each
representing a particular ritual designed for a particular ritual designed for a particular
purpose.
● One version would show the mayaw as an exorcism with elaborate ceremonies imitating
the actual ritual.
● Another would show the mayaw as an act of petition in thanksgiving for a bountiful
harvest. Another reenacts the mayaw symbolically as a ceremonial designed to heal the
sick.
● There is a dance version of the mayaw as a house blessing.
● The final version incorporates all the elements of the mayaw ritual from exorcism to the
celebration of the Patrona of Pinabacdao.

Visayan Rituals
● “Christianized Rice Planting Ritual” –Province of Leyte.
● It is a Christianized ritual because there is no vocation of anitos and fairies in spirits. The
invocation is directed to God and the amulets and charms used are the symbolic
expression of prayer to God that He may bestow in the rice.

Ilocano Ritual
● "Atang" or food offering
● An Atang is a traditional food offering in the Philippines to ward off evil spirits.
● The most common atang to ward off sickness is a nice cake called sinukat. A table with
an atang meal may be out in a new house Anatang may who be for harvest offering
● Ilocanos may prepare an atang before each meal

Bicol Ritual
● Mystical contagions among the Bikolanos are believed to be cause by the aggrieved tawo
(‘people we cannot see’)
● Even today, the people in Calabanga, Camarines Sur still believe in different kinds of
tawo.
● Illnesses which cannot be treated by conventional allopathic medicine are brought to a
Parabulong for healing though Santiguar – the healers will be transformed into divination
or possession in order to talk to the spirit.

MATERIAL SELF
William James
● The material self refers to tangible objects, people, or places that carry the designation
“my” or “mine”.
● Anything that we evoke emotional feelings to, like things, persons and experiences that
we have in our lives are part of the self
● A man’s self is the sum total of all that he can call his, not only his body and his psychic
powers, but his clothes and his house, his wife and children, his ancestors and friends, his
reputation and works, his lands and horses, and yacht and bank-account.
 The Material Self Investment
● We are affected by the things we have in our lives because we have invested a lot of
ourselves in them. These investments may come in different forms like time, effort,
money and experiences. Examples: Body, Clothes, Family, Home

● Body – It is the innermost part of the material self. We take care of it because we cannot
live without it. Having a healthy body makes sure we can experience life to the fullest.
● Clothes – It is arguable to say that clothes help express who we are. Our sense of style is
unique and dependent on our taste. However, some people may stick to the practical or
functional use of clothes – to protect the body from the surrounding environment.
● Family – Our immediate family members influence who we are. Being the consistent
social component in our lives. It is natural for us to have an impeccable emotional
attachment and investment to them.
● Home – Like what they say, “Home is where the heart is.” Our earliest and fondest
memories of self – discovery starts from the home. It is a place where our memories
growing up is witnessed. It is an extension of the multiple versions of who we are.

PSYCHOLOGICAL OWNERSHIP
● The physical tangible objects we own, do not literally become a part of who we are
● It is our psychological ownership of things we own, which evoke emotion, that make our
material self, not the physical ownership
EXAMPLE
● Ella loses a spoon she owned since when she was a little girl. Her mother said she had to
give it up because it became too small for her anyway. It was difficult to let go because it
is something that she grew up with, something that was part of her childhood’s everyday
life.
● Ella may no longer have the spoon but her sense of appreciation for it stays with her. Not
having it physically but having many good memories with it makes the spoon a constant
and important part of Ella’s life.

CONSUMER CULTURE
Miguel is a tech-savvy millennial. He has a good-paying job in an information technology
company. He’s always updated on the latest gadgets released to the market. He can afford them
and considers the following when deciding on purchasing:
Online reviews from respected industry bloggers
Articles comparing and contrasting the specs of the gadgets he’s considering to buy
Payment options for cash payment, credit card or personal loans are available.

● The concept of material culture where our values, attitudes, behaviors and activities are
defined by our ability to consume goods and services.
● Our ability to consume certain goods and services tells something about our status in
society. If we can afford it, we can live with it. Without purchasing power, we cannot
experience it and therefore it cannot be part of who we are.
● This shows us that consumer culture reflects who we are depending on what we can
afford to buy for ourselves and call our own.
● It shows the power to determine the parameters within which individuals of a consumer
society can live their everyday lives.
 CONSUMER SELF
● Miguel can sustain a lifestyle of being up-to-date with the latest technology trends
because he has a good-paying job.
● Not everyone is like Miguel.
● Not everyone can have the payment options that he is offered whenever he wants to buy a
gadget.
● Some people are not eligible to be granted a credit card or a personal loan because they
may not pass certain requirements based on their proof of income.

ADVERTISING & MASS MEDIA

● Advertising is about communicating to encourage consumption of commercial goods and
services based on what people want and need
● Mass media is contributory to advertising and shaping purchasing behaviors since these
provide ways to advertise.

CONCLUSION / SUMMARY

● The material self refers to the aspect of the self that relates to the things we consider ours,
those with which we have an emotional attachment and had significantly invested on
● Our material self investment includes our bodies, our clothes, our families and our
homes.
● The psychology of ownership tells us that owning something is not based on its physical
presence in our lives, rather, on our psychological appreciation of those things.
● The culture of consumerism is how our values, attitudes, behaviors and activities are
defined by our ability to consume goods and services.
● Advertising and mass media have major roles in our purchasing behavior because they
communicate ideas that help us justify our decisions to consume something, whether
because it is a want or a need.
● It is important to look at not only what we want but what’s good for us when trying to
improve our material self.

POLITICAL SELF

Developing a Filipino Identity

● Every Filipino has his/her own identity very much different from other nationalities.
His/her values, traits, community life, are the ones that will stand out from the rest of the
people.
● Values are universally recognized as a driving force in ethical decision-making.

Filipino Values Identity

● The Filipino value system or Filipino values refers to the set of values or the value system
that a majority of the Filipinos have.

Philosophical Basis
● Filipino values are centered at maintaining the social economy, motivated primarily by
the desire to be accepted within a group.
 KINDS OF FAMILY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Nuclear Family
● The nuclear family is the traditional type of family structure. This family type consists of
two parents and children.

Single Parent Family

● The single parent family consists of one parent raising one or more children on his/her
own.

Extended Family
● An extended family is a family that extends beyond the nuclear family, consisting of
parents like father, mother and their children, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins, all
living in the same household.

Childless Family
● While most people think of family as including children, there are couples who either
cannot or choose not to have children.

Step Family
● A step family, blended family, bonus family, or instafamily is a family where at least one
parent has children that are not biologically or adoptive related to the other spouse. Either
parent, or both, may have children from previous relationships or mariages.

Grand Family
● Many grandparents today are raising their grandchildren for a variety of reasons. The
parents are not present in the child’s life.

ENUMERATION OF FILIPINO VALUES

Pakikipagkapwa-tao
● This is the shared sense of identity and consciousness of the “other”. • It means treating
others with respect and dignity as an equal, not someone below the individual.

Family Orientation
● The basic and most important unit of a Filipino’s life is the family.
● The practice of separating the elderly from the rest of the family is often looked down
upon in Filipino Society.

JOY AND HUMOR

● This famous trait is the ability of Filipinos to find humor in everything.
● It sheds light on the optimism and positivity of Filipinos

FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY, CREATIVITY

● Studies show that Filipinos often have an aversion to a set of standardized rules or
procedures; they are known to follow a natural clock or organic sense of time-doing
things; they are present-oriented.

FAITH AND RELIGIOSITY

● Filipinos have a strong faith in God as seen in their various practices.
ABILITY TO SURVIVE
● The Filipinos developed a sense of resourcefulness or the ability to survive with whatever
they have.

HARD WORK AND INDUSTRY

● Filipinos are very determined and persevering in accomplishing whatever they set to their
minds.

HOSPITALITY
● The Filipinos have been known to be amazingly friendly to strangers. They treat visitors,
foreigners, or guests as if they have known them already.

POSITIVE FILIPINO VALUES

HOSPITALITY
● A Filipino host will always offer food to a guest or to anyone. Foreigners who have gone
to the Philippines find themselves falling in love with the warm hospitality shown to
them. It’s a different kind of value system, which has existed for thousands of years.

RESPECT
● This is often observed – not just by younger people – but also by people of all ages.
● Children respect elders by saying “po” and “opo”, which means “yes” when answering
their elders’ hands on their forehands in the form of “mano po”.
● Filipinos also show respect at work by making a bow to their employees.

STRONG FAMILY TIES AND RELIGION

● Filipinos value their families so much that they tend to keep families intact through
generations.Families go to church and pray together because their religion is important
and creates a strong bond, marking God as the center of their lives.

GENEROSITY AND HELPFULNESS

● During special occasions such as birthdays of “fiestas”-parties when people from other
places visit your home to celebrate with you – there are lots of foods specially prepared
for everyone.
● Friends, family, friends of friends and even strangers can gather and they are always
willing to share food and help out.
● When a neighbor is in trouble, Filipinos are always ready to help them.

Strong Work Ethic

● One example of a hardworking person is a farmer. They can earn so little but they still
work very hard even without much compensation.
● Filipinos always find creative ways to earn a living, like creating ways to earn a living,
like creating a small business from their home where they sell foods or other items for the
convenience of their neighbors.

LOVING AND CARING

● Men are so sweet and romantic when it comes to love. They will send their beloved
flowers, bring her to a very romantic place, text her sweet quotes, and tell her how special
she is to them.
 ● Filipino women are also romantic and very caring, which often makes foreigners want to
marry them. Women tend to prepare dinner before their husband comes home. They are
loving and value the relationship, always staying faithful to their husbands. They love
deeply and sincerely.

Bayanihan System
● A certain task is effectively and easily completed if everybody shares his/her time, effort
and money to expedite the completion of a task.

PAKIKISAMA OR CONFORMITY
● This is a positive way of yielding to the group's unanimous or majority’s decision so as to
complete a task. Without it, there would be disunity in the group.

SMOOTH INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

● This is the value of good relationships with people. SIR is characterized by the use of
“go-between” and euphemism.
● The use of “go-between” necessitates the hiring of a third party to act as a “bridge” or
referee to assuage that a person’s bruise will heal a “wound” in his relation with people
whose goodwill is important.

PAKIKIRAMAY
● This is a sympathetic attitude to another person and it is emphasized by the statement “di
ka nag-iisa”.
● Sympathy - I'm so sorry.
● Empathy - I know exactly how you feel.

NEGATIVE FILIPINO VALUES

CRAB MENTALITY
● There are some of us Filipinos who got a better view at competition –that if we cannot
win, then no one will. Instead of helping each other to be successful, we even make ways
to pull them down like discouraging them from taking great opportunities, or destroying
their image. This is because we want to be the only one at the top.

PROCRASTINATION OR MANANA HABIT

● Look at the government projects which have been left undone for years. If only they were
completed immediately, then many Filipinos would have already benefited from them.
● This is also true with many of us. Instead of working on a task while there is much time,
we wait for the deadline because we feel lazy to start on them or we want to use the time
for other things.

BAHALA NA OR COME WHAT MAY HABIT

● This is another habit that destroys the image of Filipinos. Instead of doing something to
make things happen, we tend to just leave the outcome to whatever that could happen –
come what may – we say.
● For instance, instead of studying for exams, some students may spend more time in
computer games and gimmicks, while leaving their chance of passing the exam to luck.
We could attribute this habit to faith, reasoning out that God will help us become
successful.
NINGAS COGON
● In Spanish, “ningas cogon” means a burning cogon grass. This flaming grass quickly
burns out – and this best describes one of the worst Filipino traits.
● Most of us are very good at this. We are excellent at starting projects or idea execution.
Nevertheless, after a few hours or days, we lose the excitement, and we become too lazy

FILIPINO TIME
● Filipino time is usually associated with tardiness. For instance, when the invitation says
the program will start at 7pm, it is expected to begin at 9pm. When the date is set at 3pm,
the partner will arrive at 5. This has not only caused conflicts in relationships, it also
discourages others including foreigners from getting involved in supposedly productive
activities as too much time can be wasted on waiting.

GOSSIPING
● Filipinos are fond of talking about other people's business. It is not true that only women
are into gossiping. Even men can also be nosy on other people’s lives. Sadly, this does
not bring any good to the subjects. Secrets are brought out; failures and flaws are
emphasized; and relationships are destroyed. Worse, as gossips are passed around, they
tend to be twisted until the final story becomes too far from original – thus, causing more
damage.

LIVING BEYOND THEIR MEANS

● One of the reasons why a lot of Filipinos live in poverty is because of overspending.
● Since most people want to live an elite lifestyle, many resort to social climbing or living
beyond their means. Sometimes, some of us think that as long as we wear designer
clothes and shoes, and we send our children to the most expensive schools, it is alright to
be swimming in credits and loans.

Lack of Discipline
● We have laws and regulations in order to achieve a harmonious community. However,
most Filipinos have this penchant of disregarding the rules in order to prioritize what they
want.

PASSIVITY (LACK OF LEADERSHIP)

● Filipinos lack of initiative for change is also one reason why our country does not
progress. We keep on complaining against the government and other societal issues.
However, we do not do anything about them.
● Common Filipinos also lack courage and confidence. If you can notice it, in classrooms,
churches, or conference rooms, most of us don’t like to sit in the front seat.